The Blessing of the Porcupines
Xu Shulou was hunting porcupines.
This was the Porcupine Forest of the demon realm—vast, shadowy, and filled with trees rarely seen in the mortal world. Among the tangled branches, cheerful porcupines soared through the air.
Yue'er, eager to play the gracious host, had brought Xu Shulou and Bai Roushuang here to catch porcupines for fun.
The porcupines had black-and-white spines growing along their backs. Spotting the trio, they swooped down and shot their quills at them.
"Don't dodge," Yue'er quickly warned. "This is a blessing from the porcupines."
Bai Roushuang was baffled. "What kind of blessing?"
She watched as the black-and-white quills transformed midair into vibrant colors. Yue'er explained, "Pink is for romance, gold for wealth, blue for—"
Before she could finish, Xu Shulou nimbly twisted her body, dodging an incoming pink quill.
Bai Roushuang gave a thumbs-up. Truly, her senior sister could evade even the swiftest arrival of love.
"..." Yue'er paused before continuing, "They say porcupines only bless those with pure hearts, be they human or demon. By tradition, those who accept their blessings can no longer hunt them."
"What about the rainbow-colored ones?" Xu Shulou asked.
"That’s the 'Porcupine’s Dream Blessing.' It makes your dreams more vivid and colorful."
Xu Shulou considered this. Her recent dreams could indeed use some color, so she deliberately stepped into the path of a rainbow quill, forcibly accepting the blessing.
That night, her dreams were indeed vibrant.
Time in the dreamscape had advanced once more.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Shen." In the dream, Xu Shulou stood before none other than Shen Zhuang—the man who ran the beast-fighting arena and conducted grotesque human-animal experiments beneath it.
"What do you want?" Shen Zhuang’s tone was indifferent, barely sparing her a glance. But since he treated most people this way, Xu Shulou wasn’t offended and remained smiling.
"I’d like you to replace one of my legs with a beast’s."
Even a man as twisted as Shen Zhuang was taken aback. "Are you serious?"
"Yes," Xu Shulou nodded. "One of my legs is crippled. Many physicians say it can’t be healed, so I might as well get a new one. I’m not afraid of pain."
"No," Shen Zhuang replied. This was the first time someone had willingly made such a request, and he was tempted—he’d always wondered if volunteers would make the process smoother. But in the end, he shook his head. "Did Lu Beichen tell you about this? Then he must have mentioned that he strictly forbids me from using these methods on Lingxiao Sect cultivators."
"Why?"
Shen Zhuang eyed her lower half, already imagining what kind of leg to give her, and answered absently, "Why else? He’s a righteous sect leader. He’s afraid of being exposed and burned by the scandal."
Xu Shulou sighed regretfully. "Master Shen, your talent is extraordinary. Such creations should make you renowned across the world. It’s a shame you’re forced to hide in the shadows forever."
Shen Zhuang didn’t respond. Xu Shulou seemed to have spoken casually and didn’t wait for an answer. She stood. "My apologies for disturbing you. I’ll take my leave."
"..."
Xu Shulou limped away slowly, yet her mood seemed light. She went straight to the kitchen and carefully brewed a bowl of calming soup. The kitchen staff ignored her, so she used mortal methods to light the fire, patiently fanning the flames with a palm-leaf fan.
Servants behind her exchanged mocking glances, sneering at her futile efforts to win favor.
Xu Shulou paid them no mind. Once the soup had cooled slightly, she touched the porcelain bowl to check the temperature—just right—before carrying it to Lu Beichen.
Lu Beichen, however, was in the middle of an argument. This was his private chamber, where his concubines resided, and he rarely bothered with soundproofing spells here. Xu Shulou mused that he had once been cautious but had grown careless after gaining power.
"Enough!" Lu Beichen’s angry voice rang out. "Gao Ning'er died in my courtyard, and I take responsibility. I already punished Luo Fusheng to save your face. But now, Lingxiao Sect has lost a shipment—proof you still hold a grudge!"
The Xuanwu Tower Master hurriedly defended himself, "No, I didn’t intercept it! I have more than just Ning'er. Why would I ruin our alliance over her?"
Lu Beichen’s tone softened slightly. "Hmph. We’ll see. For now, you’re suspended from the next deal."
"Sect Leader Lu, I’ve spent over a year preparing for this deal. I’ve already invested heavily—it could elevate Black Tortoise Tower. Please reconsider—"
"No more. My decision is final!" From Xiao Ya to Gao Ning'er and Luo Fusheng, Lu Beichen’s wives and concubines had fallen one after another. His patience was wearing thin.
The Xuanwu Tower Master had allied with him for profit, not to be trampled on. Seeing his pleas ignored, he snapped, "You’re just making excuses! You’re discarding me now that I’m no longer useful. How do I know you didn’t fake losing that shipment? I’ve handled countless shady deals for you—you can’t just throw me away! This deal goes through with me, or not at all!"
"Are you threatening me?"
"I’m claiming what’s rightfully mine."
Lu Beichen clasped his hands behind his back, twisting the ring on his thumb—a telltale sign of contemplation.
"Give me time to think. Leave."
The Xuanwu Tower Master, thinking he’d relented, softened his tone. "Sect Leader Lu, our interests align. I won’t speak out of turn."
"Good."
Lu Beichen watched him leave before coldly calling out, "Show yourself!"
Xu Shulou stepped forward with the calming soup. "As expected, my husband sensed me immediately. Forgive me—I didn’t mean to eavesdrop."
"It’s fine." Lu Beichen dismissed her. She was utterly devoted, practically groveling for his favor. What did it matter if she overheard? Still, the Tower Master’s defiance had bruised his ego. Seeing Xu Shulou’s adoring gaze, his irritation faded. He took a sip of the soup. "Leave. Next time, don’t interrupt my discussions."
Xu Shulou wiped her tears.
Lu Beichen frowned. "Now what?"
She lowered her head. "Hearing you mention the Tower Master… I couldn’t help but think of Sister Luo."
Lu Beichen thought of Luo Fusheng’s breathtakingly beautiful face and sighed. "I never intended to kill her. Who knew she’d be so fierce? When the truth came out, she took her own life."
"The Xuanwu Tower Master was too aggressive, demanding that you punish the culprit immediately," Xu Shulou lowered her eyes. "Sister Luo feared causing strife between you and him, so she chose to end her life."
"Such a foolish girl," Lu Beichen murmured, nostalgia softening his tone as he recalled the warmth of her presence. "Gao Zhuo has indeed needed discipline for a long time... But enough of that. Go visit Fusheng’s grave and keep her company for a while."
"As you wish."
Xu Shulou obeyed without question. When Lu Beichen told her to visit Luo Fusheng, she went straight to the cemetery.
On her way out of the courtyard, however, she ran into Bai Roushuang, who stood surrounded by a retinue of maids, offering her a graceful smile. "Senior Sister."
Bai Roushuang had always worn kindness like a mask, hiding her venom beneath. Xu Shulou responded coldly, "I dare not accept such an address from Madam Bai."
"Oh, it’s just habit. I’ve just seen off a few senior brothers from Bright Moon Peak who came to visit me. I asked if they’d like to see you as well, but alas, they still remember the unpleasantness from before," Bai Roushuang stepped closer, linking arms with her. "Senior Sister, you truly broke their hearts."
Xu Shulou recoiled as if touched by a serpent, pushing her away. Bai Roushuang gasped in feigned shock, and her sycophantic maids immediately began their usual chorus of accusations—ungrateful, treacherous, the same old litany.
Bai Roushuang smirked, provocatively adjusting the priceless hairpin-shaped artifact at her temple.
Xu Shulou met her gaze. "Madam, how long have you been stuck at the Golden Core stage?"
Bai Roushuang’s smile faltered slightly, but a quick-witted maid interjected, "Madam is doted upon by the Sect Master. What need has she for higher cultivation?"
"Exactly!" the others chimed in. "Every rare treasure the Sect Master finds ends up in Madam’s courtyard. With such resources, reaching the Nascent Soul stage is only a matter of time."
Xu Shulou smiled faintly. "Is that how you console yourself?"
"Senior Sister," Bai Roushuang leaned in, her voice a whisper, "how do you console yourself?"
"..."
As Bai Roushuang sauntered away, victorious, Xu Shulou’s expression emptied of all disdain, leaving only a hollow stare. She murmured under her breath, "Bai Roushuang... what kind of fate do you truly deserve?"
Xu Shulou wandered to the cemetery, where silence reigned. She sat beside Luo Fusheng’s grave, resting her head against the tombstone as if exhausted, recalling their final meeting.
Back then, Luo Fusheng had already been on the brink of death, crimson blood trickling from her lips as she clutched Xu Shulou’s hand with her last strength. "I know you killed Gao Ning'er. I know what you’re planning. I guessed it the moment those disciples and maids died. This crime... I’ll take the blame for you. Please... keep going."
Xu Shulou sighed. "Foolish girl. You have no idea what I’m truly doing."
She closed her eyes, hoping to rest against the tombstone, but sleep eluded her. Her insomnia was severe—no amount of calming incense or medicine could soothe her into slumber.
Finally, Xu Shulou patted the tombstone and stood, brushing the dirt from her robes. She walked away without a backward glance.
———
Reality.
Xu Shulou jolted awake. The "Porcupine’s Blessing" had indeed worked—her dreams were now punctuated by clusters of rainbow bubbles. Pink ones burst over the Xuanwu Tower Master’s face as he spat threats; indigo foam bloomed around Bai Roushuang’s provocative smirks. Yet the weight of the dream made even these absurd touches feel hollow.
She couldn’t help but grieve for the dream’s unfolding.
An Xu Shulou unshackled by reason, half-mad with torment, devoid of mercy, indifferent to the world—what would she do? What could she do?
